Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-09-09
THE ADMISSION OF CALIFORNIA.

Ode written on the admission OF California into
the Union of States, 1850 Respectfully dedi-
Gated to the society of California S pioneers, by
II. H. Woodward, of Roseburg, Oregon, August
l., 1857.
A pioneer from Oregon greets ye Argonauts,
That founded California's splendid State,
Landsmen came DER plains. but ye in ships and
boats,
Round the bleak Horn" to the Golden Gate,
Memory recalls TO mind the hurrahs sounded,
As the old "Unlcorn' steamed up the bay,
Her cannons doomed as to windward she
rounded,
Bringing the news Were a State" hurrahl
hurrahl
That night the city in gay revelry burst out.
And every citizen in the highest glee,
At being admitted gave forth a rousing shout,
From Territorial letters were forever free!
october was time set to celebrate the event,
And grand displays the civic board prepared;
In due course all persons to il went
High and low the hospitality freely shared,
The procession formed and marched to music's
strain
Gay banners flew and fiuttered in the breeze,
Loud cheers were given Ter and DER again,
At the good news that came from o er the seas
And as friends sat round the festive board.
Some singing songs of "Auld Lang Syne,"
Some for their blessings thanked the Lord,
And others drank good health in wine.
But bark! what is that shock their joys mar
Convulsive shook the earth around the city
gay,
like unto the thunders of dreadful war.
The steamer Sycamore" has blown up say
they.
Alasl too true longside of Long wharf she lay,
With human freight on board to Stockton
bound
By scores they met their death nor time to pray,
And many scalded and mangled too were
found,
Whose shrieks their agony spoke-their writhing
forms.
Told us of suffering indescribably great,
Persons OF all stations from sons of ocean storms
To men of distinction from every State,
Aye and the fair sex, too. in awful torment
died
Whose screams ecLoed afar. and in piteous
Cried out for loved ones as they sobbed and
sighed,
Midst the carnage OF death and lementable
gToans.
This shows how frail our lives are at the best.
For all embarked In spirits of highest glee.
Alas cut off so suddenly this spirit it doth at
That the Unseen is powerful by His dire de-
cree.
From pleasure to pain the crowd great anguish
Bot aid was rendered before the wreck did
sink,
At sight of mutilated bodies in grief they melt,
For some were their brothers OF the mystic
And as in the grave we dropt them one by one
We shed to their memory the Strangers
Tear"
Hoping their souls to heavens home had gone
Was the silent prayer of each sad pioneer,
Sad end of happy day celebrated by you,
And as the passing yea4i are rolling round,
The sturdy Argonauts are scattered and but
few;
All! who next year can say 'Pll be above the
ground"
But such is life and nature works her way,
And such men as you she marked as pioneers,
To hew theAyay for others of future days
But will they esteem you for your grand
careers.
Or will base ingratitude be in their hearts,
No CHERISHED memories remizd them of your
WORTH
At such thought each noble nature starts,
And methinks 'twould be unworthy of their
birth.
Still let US cling to hope your deeds will e'er
remain
Fresh and green in posterity's enlightened
mind
That what We have won by diligence and BRAIN
They will feel it their duty in fair garlands to
bind.
CONCLUSION.
In declining years when in deep reveries hour,
Your thoughts perchance reverts TO former
years
May you, by fervent prayers beseeching power
Ask Goa, to bless the early pioneers